Head to head
Fox Squirrel vs Eastern Gray Squirrel
The fox squirrel and eastern gray squirrel frequently share the same parks, woodlots, and backyard feeders across the eastern and central United States, close enough in general appearance that size and colour become the two most useful ways to tell them apart.
| Fox Squirrel | Eastern Gray Squirrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sciurus niger | Sciurus carolinensis |
| Relative size | Largest North American tree squirrel | Smaller and more compact |
| Typical colour | Rust-orange to reddish-brown | Grey |
| Agility in trees | Less acrobatic, more ground foraging | Highly acrobatic climber |
| Notable behaviour | Scatter-hoards across wide territory | Performs deceptive fake burials |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Increasing |
| Diet | Omnivore | Omnivore |
Fox Squirrel vs Eastern Gray Squirrel: common questions
How can you tell a fox squirrel from an eastern gray squirrel?
Size and colour are the clearest clues, since the fox squirrel is noticeably larger and typically shows a rich rust-orange to reddish-brown coat, while the eastern gray squirrel is smaller, more uniformly grey, and considerably more acrobatic when moving through trees.
Which of these two squirrels is more agile in the trees?
The eastern gray squirrel is by far the more acrobatic of the two, capable of impressive leaps and confident high-speed movement through the canopy, while the bulkier fox squirrel tends to forage more on the ground and move with noticeably less agility overall.
Do both squirrels bury nuts for winter?
Yes, both species scatter-hoard nuts across a wide territory rather than relying on a single central store, though the eastern gray squirrel has been documented going a step further, performing convincing fake burials when it senses a potential thief is watching.